Santos has announced the successful completion of the Angore project in Hela Province, Papua New Guinea, further bolstering the country’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) production capacity.
This milestone development, unveiled on November 19, marks a significant step forward for the PNG LNG venture, delivering up to 350 million standard cubic feet (mmscf) of gas per day.
The Angore project unlocks access to an estimated one trillion cubic feet of natural gas resources, strengthening PNG’s position as a key player in the global LNG market.
Santos Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Gallagher highlighted the importance of the project in showcasing PNG’s abundant natural gas potential.
“The startup of Angore is one of several PNG highlights in 2024 for Santos and our joint venture partners – ExxonMobil, Kumul Petroleum Holdings, Mineral Resources Development Company, and JX Nippon,” Gallagher said.
He also praised the success of other ongoing developments, including the Kutubu field, which has accelerated 16 billion cubic feet of associated gas production this year.
Gallagher outlined several future projects aimed at sustaining and expanding PNG’s energy output:
- Hides Footwall Exploration: A well currently being drilled, with the potential to deliver up to 160 mmscf per day if successful.
- Agogo and Moran Fields: These developments could collectively supply an additional 125 mmscf per day by 2026.
- Long-Term LNG Fields: Projects in P’nyang, Muruk, and Juha are poised to sustain PNG LNG production over the long term.
Additionally, Santos is advancing front-end engineering for the Papua LNG project in the Eastern Highlands Province and exploring promising fields like Wildebeest in the Gulf Province.
“The prolific nature of PNG’s gas resources gives us a strong platform to continue reliably supplying our Asian customers well into 2040 and beyond,” Gallagher said.
Since its inception in 2014, PNG LNG has supplied over 83 million tonnes of LNG to Asian markets, including long-term buyers such as CPC, JERA, Osaka Gas, and Sinopec.
The $19 billion project celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024 and routinely exceeds its nameplate capacity of 6.9 million tonnes per annum by 30%.
The venture has contributed more than $7 billion to PNG through taxes, royalties, and community benefits, all while maintaining one of the lowest greenhouse gas emissions intensities among global LNG producers.
The Angore development reinforces Santos and its partners’ dedication to the long-term sustainability of LNG production in PNG.
As global demand for cleaner energy grows, projects like Angore ensure that PNG remains a vital player in meeting the energy needs of Asian markets.
